The Grand Island Public Schools "Board Brief" is an online monthly publication dedicated to sharing the Board of Education meeting highlights, updates, campus recognitions, and more.

Today's edition recaps the January 10th, 2023 special GIPS Board meeting.

• Public Meeting Agenda
• Board Meeting Video Stream
• Below are highlights from the special Board meeting featuring interviews of Interim Superintendent candidates.

The Board needed to formally identify someone as the acting Superintendent since various school law statutes specifically reference duties to be performed by "the Superintendent."

For that purpose, the Board made a motion to approve Dr. Robin Dexter, GIPS Associate Superintendent, as the Acting Superintendent. This would allow the district to have a leader in-place while the Board completes the Interim Superintendent search process.

Motion Passed: 9 - 0

Each Interim Superintendent finalist will have individual time to answer questions and engage in discussion with The Board of Education.

The candidates conducted their Board interviews in the following order (chosen at random):

• Dr. Virginia Moon
• Mr. Matthew Fisher
• Dr. Michael Teahon

Credentials for each of the candidates may be found HERE.

The interviews were hosted at the Kneale Administration Building this evening. Each candidate was issued the following prompts during their individual time with the Board:

• How will you establish a working relationship with the Board?

• What strengths will you bring to our school district and this position?

• Describe areas you would focus on the first 60 days on the job.

• What steps will you take to get a better understanding of the school district and the community?

• What methods of communication will you take to ensure the Board says informed?

• What methods do you use to keep Administration and Staff Members informed regarding critical issues?

• Describe your method of communication with all stakeholders and why your method is effective.

• How would you plan to work collaboratively with local governments, local colleagues, business groups, etc. in furthering education goals?

• Describe what you consider to be a desirable working relationship among the Board, Superintendent, and other administrative leaders.

• What level of importance do you place on the culture and climate of the school district?

• How do you build trust and collaboration within the district?

• What measures do you take to ensure good staff morale?

• How do you deal with conflict?

• Describe your management style in working with teachers and administrators.

• What do you expect as evidence that teachers are effectively teaching and students are effectively learning?

• How do you hold building Principals and Administrators accountable to their goals and track progress of those goals?

• Would you please describe a situation where you identified the need for improvement or change and how you addressed that need?

• Describe your experience and background related to school finance and the budget process.

• The Board is interested in considering an 18-month contract at this time. Would you consider a longer term contract if the time proves to be a positive experience?

Each candidate also had the opportunity to spend exclusive time with the Executive Cabinet Members, Building Level Administrators, and touring the district.

Shari Becker from NASB continued to serve as a professional consultant facilitating the process for each candidate.

The Board entered into executive session for the purpose of reviewing interim superintendent candidates' interviews to prevent the needless injury to the reputation of an individual and to protect the public's interest.

After reconvening, the Board shared a motion of approval for Mr. McFarland to reach out to the Board's first candidate of choice for negotiation.

The Board also shared a motion of approval for Mr. McFarland to reach out to the Board's second candidate of choice for negotiation if necessary.

Motion Passed: 9 - 0

• Board President, Mr. Hank McFarland, will reach out to the preferred candidate to offer the position and initiate negotiations.
• Both the Board and the candidate will aim to reach an agreement.
• If necessary, Board President, Mr. McFarland, will reach out to the Board's second candidate of choice.
• The Board will present and vote on naming an interim Superintendent for the district and their contract duration at an upcoming Board meeting.